Review-Mirror

By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror Ombudsman Ontario has declined a request by the Township of Rideau Lakes to investigate whether the township's accumulated deficit was a contravention of the Municipal Act. The office has also declined to investigate Paula Banks' claims that council was not following their own bylaws and that council members were charging for expenses that were not eligible. "We have informed the complainant that we will not be reviewing these matters further at this time," stated Ombudsman Early Resolutions Officer Heather Skelton. Township council made a request to the office last June after ongoing requests from Banks for an investigation through the township's Code of Con- duct bylaw. The township's 2007 Code of Conduct provides for the appointment of an investigator which would be hired at township expense to look into con- stituent complaints. In an effort to avoid the expense of hiring a local investigator, council referred the matter to the Ombudsman after requests to staff from Banks contin- ued. "The concerns have been addressed on an ongoing basis. The com- plainant doesn't seem sat- isfied," said Dwyer last spring. The Ombudsman letter suggests council should appoint an investigator to address the concerns, an option outlined in the township's existing Code of Conduct. "Our office does not duplicate work that has already been done and the Ombudsman does not sub- stitute his opinion in place of an investigator's opin- ion," Skelton stated in the letter. The letter acknowl- edged the township's By Howie Crichton The Review-Mirror While there may have been a lot of empathy for the decisions faced by Westport Council, there wasn't a lot of sympathy in the room at Monday night's public meeting over the village's water and sewer deficit. The 2016 budget faces a projected $161,000 oper- ations shortfall, one of several over the years, but this time council wants to deal with it now, with a one-time bill, rather than putting it off for another year. They were asking for the public's input on whether the tab should be paid by water and sewer users or all property own- ers. Monday's crowd spilled out into the hall- way and it was pretty clear almost all were among the 30 to 40 property owners not on the system. Few members of the group were eager to start but they eventually got their message across. "People who don't use the service shouldn't have to pay for it, that's a no brainer, " said Larry Soles. Dennis Doyle agreed. "The common good is one thing. I am on my own well and septic and I have contributed to neither the water or sewer problem," he said. Council is presenting four options. Two where all property owners pay based on assessment ($330 per $200,000 of property value) or every- one pays based on individ- ual parcels of land (461 at $387 each) If restricted to the 308 customers only, the cost would be $523 each. They are also considering charging for all connec- tions, whether they are used or not – 330 at a cost of $488 each. The deficit was $525,816 in 2015 and just over $700,000 in 2014. Susan Gander wanted to know if personnel costs will be cut with the new filter bed system slated for 2017. "I know where your question is coming from and it is what keeps us awake at night and this didn't happen in the last year. "The taxes will go up and the water and sewer rates will go up," Mayor Robin Jones said, citing the need, for example, to fix Bedford Street. Debbie Harrison, another resident on their own well and septic, said, Mirror The Review Thursday, August 25, 2016 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 125, No. 34 $1 incl. tax Canada Post Contract No. 40021501 Residents say no to pitching in with $161,000 deficit "In the depths of winter I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." Albert Camus Overlooking Lake, Locks & Falls at Jones Falls, Elgin Exceptional Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner 613-359-5500 Reservations Recommended. HOTEL KENNEY Since 1877 This young attendee at the 10th annual MUSICwestport festival was participating in children's games while the crowd enjoyed the music from the Little Rideau Farm Stage at Soho's on Saturday. •Continued on page 3 •Continued on page 3 Not our department: Ombudsman urges township to use local means to deal with complaints over deficit, conduct 24 Family Lane, Smiths Falls Hwy. 15 S. & Bay Rd. 613-205-1212 streetmotorsales@cogeco.net streetmotorsales.com Charlie Franklin Sales Representative 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4, back-up cam., 110,000kms $31,995 Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin duncan s TV & APPLIANCES 30" Glass Top Range •Spacewise® Expandable Elements •Precision Set™ Controls •Fits-More™ Cooktop •Self Clean Reg. 1199.95 $ 999 95 Model #CGEF3035RW 30" Gas Range •Continuous Grates •Low Simmer Burner •Quick Bake Convection •Self Clean Reg. 1299.95 $ 1099 95 Model #FGGF3035RW Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds Ranges

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